ATLANTA – Continuing its mission of supporting local heroes, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is awarding $267,000 worth of equipment to 18 Atlanta metropolitan area public safety organizations during a press conference at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015. The event takes place at the Cobb County Safety Village located at 1220 Al Bishop Dr., Marietta, GA 30008.

These grant awards will ensure Atlanta metropolitan area first responders are better equipped to protect and save lives throughout their communities.In 2005, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was created with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment and resources to first responders and public safety organizations. Many first responders have tomake do with older equipment and have limited or no access toupdated technology and needed resources. The Foundationhas given more than$15 million to hometown heroes in 44 states and Puerto Rico, benefiting 1,154 public safety organizations. In the state of Georgia, more than $1.2 million has beengranted since 2005, and in almost all instances, the awarded tools would otherwise be unavailable.

“These brave men and women dedicate their lives to protecting ours, and it is a privilege to provide them with the tools needed to help ensure their safety as well as ours,” said Robin Peters, executive director, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. “As former firefighters, Firehouse Subs Founders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen saw firsthand how critical it was for first responders to have the training and tools they need to save lives.”

The following 18 organizations are receiving awarded equipment, many of which will be on display and demonstrated at the press conference. Granted equipment include a tactical series robot (capable of performing bomb disposal, surveillance and reconnaissance), thermal imaging cameras (helps locate the fire source and victims), an interactive fire safety house, automated external defibrillators (provide life-saving assistance if a citizen goes into cardiac arrest), fire hose, vehicle extrication equipment (helps rescue and remove victims in motor vehicle accidents), tablet computers, and more.

To raise money for the Foundation, Firehouse Subs restaurants participate in a number of fundraising efforts. Each restaurant recycles leftover, five-gallon pickle buckets, available to guests for a $2 donation to the Foundation. Donation canisters on register counters collect spare change, while the Round Up Program allows guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. Grant allocations aremade possiblethanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generousdonors.